Nearly 100 Mexicans seek return to US under legal settlement on deportation practices

SAN DIEGO – Nearly 100 Mexicans have sought to return to the United States by Wednesday's deadline under the terms of a lawsuit settlement.

The suit filed in 2013 by the American Civil Liberties Union accused immigration officials in Southern California of failing to advise people of their rights.

The ACLU claimed the Department of Homeland Security overused a procedure known as a voluntary return to expel people from the country. It prevents people from legally returning to the U.S. for up to 10 years.

The government didn't acknowledge wrongdoing in the settlement but agreed to changes that include a revised form that spells out consequences and options.

It also agreed to let some Mexicans return to the U.S. to resume efforts to stay legally.